March 27-31, 2011

Sunday-The four of us went to church this morning. Can't believe how much snow we got throughout the day yesterday and they are calling for more yet tomorrow evening! Went to AWANAs this evening. God is good! Monday-Today I turned the BIG 36! Spent the day with little Mia and this evening Tracy took the girls and I to eat at Hibachi's on the square. The girls had never been there before and thought it was pretty good. :) All and all a great day! Tuesday-We didn't get all of the snow they had said we were going to get. So that was a relief! It has been pretty cold out though. Can't wait for spring to get here! Wednesday & Thursday-Nothing much to report. Love the "boring" days! :)

March 26, 2011

We were up and at um bright and early this morning! We had to leave the house by 7:15 a.m. to make it to Fox 2 Studio on time. They took us right back and got our microphones on and we were on the air by 8:40 a.m. Tracy and I were hoping it would just be the girls that were on but they put us in there with them as well. I continually stumbled over my own words and the girls clammed up! Oh well!! It was for a great cause and to let the bi-state area how well the girls did on their fundraiser. By the time we got home, we were exhausted and it wasn't even lunchtime yet! I did laundry throughout the day but between loads, relaxed on the couch. Trystan and Alyssa played quietly all day because they were tired as well. Tracy lounch on his recliner too. :) This evening we went to Tracy's mom's house so that I could go over some insurance informaiton she had questions about. We also stayed there for dinner to celebrate my birthday that's coming up this week. It was a good time! We made sure to get home before dark since we are still having snow at the end of March!!! It's been a very long winter and continues to hang around.

March 21-25, 2011

Monday-We took the girls to St. Louis Children's Hospital this morning to present the donations to them. Upon arrival the girls were given a HUGE check made out to Children's and had the total amount on it. They were so excited to see that check! Alyssa had been asking me if we could somehow make a large check to take, but I wasn't sure how to do that. Dr. Wilson (Trystan's Oncologist), Dr. Ziga (Trystan's in-patient Oncologist), and Nurse Practitioner Karen were there to receive the donations from the girls. Dr. Ziga didn't even recognize Trystan! He hasn't seen her for a year. She's 20 pounds heavier and has a head full of hair! Dr. Wilson kept commenting on how happy she was. God is soo good!!!!!

Tuesday-Excited about tomorrow morning! The girls were invited to a Recognition Breakfast to receive an award on behalf of GES.

Wednesday-Today was another big day! The girls, Tracy, and myself were invited to attend the 15th Annual Recognition Breakfast at Greenville College. This award is chosen by the principals of each school in the Kaskaskia River Area. Greenville Elementary School chose both Alyssa and Trystan to receive the award for the fundraising event they had in February. Tracy and I are so very proud of our girls!

Thursday-This evening we found out that Fox 2 would like to have us back on for a follow-up story on Jeans Month. The girls are really excited about seeing Teresa Woodard again!

Friday-Nothing much to report today. Needing to make sure that we all get a fairly good amount of sleep tonight. We have to get an early start tomorrow to drive to the television studio in the morning. We are supposed to be there by 8:20 a.m. and should be on the air about 8:40 a.m. :)

March 19-20, 2011

Saturday-The girls got up about 8:00 this morning. I got them their breakfast and they then played until lunchtime. I then fixed them lunch and they played again until it was time to take the friends home. Before dropping the girls' friends off we stopped off at the creamery near our house for some icecream. The girls and I had never been before and neither had their friends. It was really neat! I then dropped them off at their houses and we came back home. Alyssa and I went for a walk late this afternoon and when we came back I started on dinner. The girls then got their showers/baths and we went to bed. Although we had a jam packed weekend it was a lot of fun!

Sunday-Went to church this morning as a family and came home for lunch. We spent the afternoon at home. Alyssa practiced her instrument, whild Trystan sat and did some reading. Once they were finished with that they went outside to play and enjoy the beautiful afternoon. This evening we were back to AWANAs! The girls love AWANAs so much this year. I think they may be a little upset when it comes to an end next month. Tomorrow morning is another BIG day! We will be heading to St. Louis Children's Hospital to present them with the Jeans Month donations. We are proud of the work that our girls have done in their efforts to give back to the hospital. The grand total donations we will be presenting them is $11,300!!!!!!!!!!!

March 14-18, 2011

Monday & Tuesday-Nothing much to report today. God continues to show us so much to be thankful for.


Wednesday-It was so beautiful out today! After dinner the girls and I decided to take a short walk. I had to wipe a tear from my eye after thinking that I can't even remember the last time we were able to do this. Thank you Lord for remining me constantly in different ways how far we've come!

Thursday-This evening while Alyssa was at dance, Trystan and I sat in the car and she finished her homework. We then ran to CVS and printed out all of the Jeans Month pictures and put them into a small album. I wanted to have them with us when we go and present the donations to Children's Hospital on Monaday morning.

Friday-Each of our girls had a friend over this evening. I took them all to see the play production of Annie at the Greenville High School Auditorium. It was fabulous! All of the characters did a great job and the props, clothes, and back drops were wonderful! I couldn't believe the play was almost three hours long. Therefore, we didn't get back to the house until amost 10:30 p.m. The girls played until almost midnight and then went to sleep. :) I think they all really liked the play. (At least I hope they did!)

March 12-13, 2011

Satuday-Got up early this morning and left for Fairview Heights, St. Clair Square for the Walk for Wishes. Surprisingly, the girls got up easy. They were just as excited about going and I was. When we got there, I check in and got the bag with all the informaion and shirts to pass out to the team members. Just before the walk started, we were able to get a team picture. Trystan walked almost the whole time and kept up really well too. She only sat in the wheelchair a short while to rest. She did make it two laps of the four. A lot better than I thought she would do. Our friends the Hassard's won 1st place for both raising the most money and for the most team members! Way to go Gracie's wishes!!! I believe everyone had a pretty good time. Next fundraiser is set for April 30th for Friends of Kids with Cancer. :)

Sunday-This morning we all went to church then out to Pizza Hut for lunch with the entire Watson side. It was very nice to have us all at the same table just talking. After lunch we came home and the girls and I headed to Edwardsville to get dresses and dress shoes for the Recognition Breakfast on the 23rd. Got Trystan's dress and shoes at Kohl's and Alyssa's dress there as well. We had to go to Shoe Carnival for her dress shoes and a much needed new pair of tennis shoes. Cannot believe that Alyssa is now in a women's 5 1/2! My little girl isn't a little girl anymore. There wasn't any AWANAs tonight due to the Highland School District having a Spring Break. It was nice to be able to spend that time with my girls shopping!

March 7-11, 2011

Monday-Happy Birthday Grandma Rieke! The girls went to school today. Initially they were not supposed to have school today as it is a holiday in Illinois(Casmir Pulaski Day). They used today as one of the make up days because they've had so many snow days. Alyssa had dance this evening. While Alyssa's in dance, Trystan gets the rest of her reading and spelling finished in the car.

Tuesday-Trystan continues to grow leaps and bounds with reading. She still has a ways to go but is doing so much better! We still continue to praise God for all he has done and continues to do for us.

Wednesday-This morning I received an email from the principal at GES regarding a recognition breakfast. I was surprised to receive this email. The girls have been chosen to be recognized at the annual Illinois Principal Associations Reconition Breakfast at Greenville College. Often there are more than 30 schools there recognizing their outstanding students. I had no idea there was even such a thing! The event will be held in just a few short weeks. We are so super proud of our girls and their huge giving hearts of always to help otheres and wanting to give to otheres with less.

Thursday-Just a few short days away from the Make-A-Wish Annual Walk for Wishes! We are so excited to participate this year. We have another great group of people that have joined our team this year.

Friday-School today and family time this evening. Made pizzas and watched a movie together as a family! We'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning to leave for the Walk for Wishes!!

March 5-6, 2011

Saturday-Woke up this morning and went to the Bond County Sheriff's Department to pick up their donations. Thank you so much Sheriff, Dispatchers, and Deputies for participating in our fundraiser! The girls and I then headed to Edwardsville with my sister and mom for mom's birthday. We ate at Peel's, went shopping at Kohl's, and The Cup(cupcakery). It was a great day! The girls and I came home and spent the evening at home with Tracy eating homemade pizza and a movie.

Sunday-Started off the morning by going to church. Came home and prepared a cheese dip for my mom's retirement party. The girls played here at home until it was time to go to Highland for the party. We stayed at the party for a little while before it was time to come back home, drop Tracy off, and the girls and I headed back to Alhambra for AWANAs. It was crazy hat night!

March 1-4, 2011

Tuesday & Wednesday-Nothing out of the ordinary to report today. Tuesday evening, Trystan did walk on the treadmill today and did much better than Sunday. I suspect that it will continue to get better as she gets stronger!

Thursday-After school today the girls and I had to go by the doctor's office to get their donations for Jeans Month. They initially planned for participating one week, but it went over so well that they extended it to two weeks! Thank you so much McCracken-Dawdy-Hall Family Practice!!!

Friday-It was a busy day! After I dropped the girls off at school, I came home and did a little cleaning and then went to Edwardsville. I stopped by and had lunch with some old friends and then went back to SIUE to catch up with the others. It was great seeing everyone! I do miss them but not the work. :) They had taken up a collection for Jeans Month, so before I left they gave that to me. They gave very generously! I then came back to Greenville and picked up the girls from school. The girls and I stopped by United Stationers and picked up their donations for Jeans Month. Again, we cannot express how greatful we are not only for their participation but their generous donations. We then came home. The girls played for a while outside and then we left to go eat at Main Street Galaxy in Alhambra and pick up their donations.